Download Revision Booklet - Calderglen High School

National 4 and 5
Drama
Revision Booklet
Pupil Name____________________
1
DRAMA
Drama is a representation of life consciously created
through different forms and styles, using language and
movement activities single or in combination.
Drama explores the relationships between:
 People
 People and ideas
 People and the environment
The most common approach to drama is through:
Improvisation
 Spontaneous Improvisation
 Rehearsed Improvisation
2
Part One
THE DRAMA PROCESS
Devised Drama
In devising a presentation from a stimulus a process can be
identified:
1)
2)
3)
Responding to stimulus
Offering ideas
Discussing and selecting ideas for situations and
roles
4) Agreeing form, structuring and devices
5) Setting up space
6) Rehearsing
7) Reviewing
8) Adding theatre arts
9) Presenting to an audience
10) Evaluating
3
STIMULUS
All drama is
anything that
presentation.
starting point











a response to a stimulus. A stimulus is
suggests ideas that can be developed into a
A stimulus could also be described as a
for drama, e.g.
pictures
props
scripts
location
stories
people
costume
newspaper articles
words
situations
music/sound/FX
4
CREATING AND PRESENTING
This is the process which begins with stimulus and ends
with evaluation.
CREATING involves the evolution of content and roles
through practical investigation, experimentation and
problem-solving.
PRESENTING involves the review of the creating process,
decision-making, rehearsal, presentation and evaluation.
5
EVALUATION
EVALUATION is the process of reflecting, reviewing and
target-setting. It can be continuous or summative and can
be of self or others.
Continuous evaluation (ongoing reviewing) involves
evaluation during the Creating and Presenting process,
without which the drama cannot develop.
Summative evaluation involves retrospective judgement in
order to learn from experience and set future targets.
We evaluate by using:






individual reflection
group discussion
teacher input
video/audio review
written tasks
taped responses
This should involve:




Outlining the work undertaken/seen
giving opinions on effectiveness
justifying these opinions
suggesting improvements
6
Part Two
Component Parts
LANGUAGE AND VOICE
LANGUAGE AND VOICE are dependent on situation, role
and purpose.
LANGUAGE is what we say or write (vocabulary and
order). VOICE is how we communicate verbally (meaning,
expression and delivery).
VOICE is given meaning and expression through the use of:












accent
pace
volume
clarity
emphasis
pause
pitch
tone
articulation
fluency
intonation
register
7
MOVEMENT
MOVEMENT is a way of exploring and expressing ideas,
emotions, symbols and relationships. It can be naturalistic,
as in its use to aid characterisation, or stylised,
expressing abstract ideas, as in dance/drama, mime, mask
and
dance.
Improvised
movement
may
provide
opportunities for a personalised response. Rehearsed
movement may allow participants to develop their own
ideas or lead to more stylised movement.
Naturalistic movement, as in characterisation, involves:
 body language
 facial expression
 gesture
 eye contact
 posture
 use of space
Stylised movement, as in expressing abstract ideas
involves:
8
 Balance
 Speed
 Timing
 Positioning
 Use of levels
 Use of space
 Rhythm
 Stance
 Use of direction
MIME
Mime is a stylised form of movement, which creates an
illusion of reality. To be effective, mimed movement should
be:





Simple
Precise
Exaggerated
Clear
Slow
9
ROLE-PLAY
ROLE-PLAY is a means of exploring attitudes and beliefs.
It is an activity in which participants investigate and
develop an imaginary situation either as themselves or
from the point of view of someone else. They are simply
representing a point of view, which may or may not agree
with their personal opinion.
It is likely to be open-ended with no pre-determined path,
but the purpose and starting point should be clear.
It is essentially a language-based activity, which allows
participants to use language appropriate to simulated
situations.
Participants should be able to adopt roles in simulated
situations and sustain attitudes and beliefs, using
appropriate language.
10
CHARACTERISATION
CHARACTERISATION is the investigation and portrayal,
in depth, of a specific role. It can build on role-play by
adding individual physical and mental characteristics. The
theatre arts of costume, make-up and props may be used
to develop and present a character.
When developing a character, consideration should be
given to the:
 social, economic and cultural background of the
character
 relationships with other characters in the drama
 portrayal of character in terms of language, voice and
movement
 Status and changes in status of the characters
involved
11
CHARACTERISATION TECHNIQUES
A variety of techniques can be used in the investigation of
characterisation:
 character cards
 improvisation
 role-play
 hot-seating
 voices in the head
 writing in role
 thought tracking
 thought tunnel
12
PURPOSE
The PURPOSE / PURPOSES of a presentation must be
established in order to communicate meaning.
FOCUS will indicate key movements or scenes, key
characters, key relationships or key events within a
presentation. It is important to realise that the focus of a
scene makes us understand it.
A presentation can be used for the following purposes,
either singly or in combination to:
 communicate a message
 entertain
 tell a story
 educate
 explore a theme or issue
 explore and experience
(e.g. through audience participation / forum theatre)
13
FORM
FORM is the overall style of the drama:
 a play (scripted or
improvised)
 dance drama
 mime
 monologue
 movement
 musical
 pantomime
 comedy
 tragedy
 docu-drama
 forum theatre
Within these forms, each of which has conventions
associated with it, there is the opportunity to experiment
with both the structures of the presentation and the
conventions which enhance it.
14
STRUCTURE
STRUCTURE is the way in which time, place and action are
sequenced. A linear or chronological structure involves the
action unfolding from beginning to middle to end. A nonlinear structure involves the action unfolding through
shifts in time (flashback / flashforward) and/or place.
CONVENTIONS
CONVENTIONS (devices) are
presenting part(s) of a drama.







alternative
ways
of
flashback / flashforward
freeze frame
frozen picture
mime
monologue
movement
slow motion
 narration
 voice over
 aside
 soliloquay
 tableau(x)
15
MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE
MOOD AND ATMOSPHERE concern the feelings and
emotions aroused by the drama and therefore involve an
audience response to what is being seen and heard. There
is a link between mood and atmosphere and tension.
TENSION
TENSION is the driving force in drama. It causes others
to want to know what is going to happen next and sustains
interest and momentum. It creates challenges and
prevents the drama becoming superficial or boring.
There is a link between dramatic tension and mood and
atmosphere.
Tension can be created through:
 movement
 shock or surprise
 silence






action
conflict and confrontation
mystery
relationships and status
threat or pressure
dramatic irony
16
Acting techniques can be used to heighten tension and
create mood and atmosphere:





movement
pace
pause
silence
voice
 eye contact
 moves
 physical contact
 contrast
 positioning
 timing
Theatre Arts can be used to heighten tension and
create mood and atmosphere, through:
 Costume
 Lighting (LFX)
 Music




Make-up
Masks
Props
Sound Effects (SFX)
 Set
 Special Effects
 staging
17
THEATRE ARTS/PRODUCTION AREAS
THEATRE ARTS is the collective name for lighting, sound,
costume, props, make-up and set design.
Design concepts are a director’s idea on how theatre arts
can reflect and emphasise the themes/issues of a
presentation, its characters, mood, tension and
atmosphere.
Taking responsibility for theatre arts involves the ability
to:
*select, organise, list and use costume
*know the function of lighting, select effects and use a
cue sheet
*select, organise and use make-up
*select/collate, organise, list and use props
*select, organise and compile a ground plan for a set
design
*know the function of sound, select sound effects and use
a cue sheet
18
When assuming responsibility for any of the THEATRE
ARTS, the following process can be identified:
*familiarisation with script or scenario
* identification of needs
* liaison with director and fellow designers
* preparation of initial designs
* preparation/organisation of materials
* implementation
* refinement/adjustment in the light of experience
* finalisation
* operation
* removal/storage/resetting as appropriate
19
DIRECTING
DIRECTING is the process of interpreting a script or
scenario and realising it in performance in conjunction with
actors and design team members.
DESIGN CONCEPTS are a director’s ideas on how theatre
arts can reflect and emphasise the themes and issues of a
drama, its characters, mood atmosphere and tension.
A script or scenario may be all, or part of, a published or
original work.
A director assumes responsibility for:
 the interpretation of script / scenario, including
punctuation inferences.
 Design concepts
 Casting
 the rehearsal process
 Blocking
 communicating/ liaising with actors and design team
20
SCRIPT
A script consists of the written words of a drama. A script
may be published or original work.
The conventions associated with a script include:
 Division of the script into acts and /or scenes.
 A description of the set for each act / scene
 An indication of changes of time and place for each
act / scene
 The allocation of lines to actors
 The inclusion of stage-directions
 Recommendation on the use of theatre arts to
enhance the action.
These conventions should apply in the reading, writing and
interpretation of scripts.
21
THE ACTING AREA
The acting area is that part of available space occupied by
the set and used by the actors when acting.
Staging is the position of the acting area relative to the
audience.
Types of staging are;
 End on
 Theatre in the Round
 Thrust
 Proscenium Arch
 Avenue
 Promenade
22
Areas of the stage indicate the division of the acting
area into nine sections. The allocation of left and right is
taken from the actor’s point of view.
The Acting Area
U.S.R
C.S.R
D.S.R
U.S.C
C.S
D.S.C
U.S.L
C.S.L
D.S.L
Audience
Set is the scenery and furniture on the acting area
indicating the setting (place). To dress the set is to add
soft furnishings and set props.
A ground plan is a bird’s eye view of the set, showing
furniture, entrances / exits and the position of the
audience.
23
GROUND PLAN
A ground plan is a ‘bird’s eye’ view of the acting area which shows
the furniture, entrances / exits and the position of the audience.
When drawing a ground plan, remember the following:
STEAKS
S
T
E
A
Set/Symbols
The Acting Area
Entrances / Exits
Audience
K
A key
S
Sightlines and Scale
24
KEY
Table
Chair
Flat
Window Flat
Entrance / Exit (Door flat)
Entrance / Exit
Rostrum (plural = rostra) A rostrum is a
raised platform.
Treads (stairs) Arrow indicates the
upwards direction.
~~~~~~
Curtain
Backcloth
Gauze
25
Drama Vocabulary
A
Accent Way of speaking used in a local area or country
Articulation Clear pronunciation of words
Aside A remark to the audience only
Audience People watching a drama
Auditorium The area for the audience, generally filled
with seats
Avenue Audience seated on two sides of the acting area
B
Backcloth Canvas cloth which covers the back of the
stage: can be painted
Backstage Non-acting area behind the stage
Balance Keeping an even distribution of weight
Barndoors Adjustable metal flaps attached to the front
of a fresnel spotlight for shaping the beam of light
Blackout The acting area is not lit
Slow fade to The lighting/sound is faded out slowly
Fast fade to The lighting/sound is faded out quickly
Snap to Blackout is achieved instantly
Blocking Deciding where and when actors will move on
stage
Body Language Messages given by the position or
movement of the body
26
C
Centre Stage (CS) The centre area of the stage
Centre Stage Left The left hand centre side of the
acting area as the actor faces (CSL) the audience
Centre Stage Right The right hand centre side of the
acting area as the actor (CSR) faces the audience
Character Specific person in a drama
Characterisation The process of fully developing a
character
Clarity Clearness of the voice
Comedy A drama which is funny/comical
Conventions Alternative ways of presenting parts of a
drama
Costume Clothes worn by actors for their character
Creating The process of developing a drama’s content and
roles through practical exploration, experimentation and
problem solving
Crossfade To change from one lighting cue to another
with no blackout in between, or to change from one sound
cue to another with no silence in between
Cue A signal for an actor to do or say something, or for a
lighting or sound effect to begin or end
Cyclorama The back wall of the stage which can be
painted or lit
D
Dance Drama A drama presented through dance moves
Dialogue A conversation between two or more characters
27
Docu-drama A documentary style drama, including
reconstructions of events
Down Stage Centre The middle part of the stage nearest
the audience (DSC)
Down Stage Left The part of the stage nearest the
audience on the left as the actor (DSL) faces the audience
Down Stage Right The part of the stage nearest the
audience on the right as the actor (DSR) faces the
audience
Dramatic Irony Actions or remarks whose significance is
not realised by all the characters
Dress rehearsal Final rehearsal of a drama with all the
theatre arts
E
Emphasis The stress on a word or phrase
End on Audience seated at one end – acting area at the
other
Enter To come on stage
Evaluate To judge the strengths and weaknesses of a
drama
Exit To leave the acting area
F
Facial expression Look on face which shows emotion
Flashback Acting out an event in the past
Flashforward Acting out of a future or imagined event
Flats Wooden frames, joined together and covered with
canvas, which can be painted door flat Frames into which a
door is built
28
or window flat Frames into which a window is built
Flies Area above the stage from where scenery/actors are
flown in on pulleys
Flood Lantern giving a wide spread of light
Fluency Natural, flowing speech
Focus Key moment, scene, character, relationship or event
in a drama
Focussing Positioning the lanterns to get the desired
lighting
Follow spot Powerful profile used to follow actors around
the acting area
Form The overall style of a drama
Forum Theatre The audience suggest changes to a drama
in order to affect outcomes
Freeze frame The action is frozen in time
Fresnel Spot Lantern giving a soft edged beam of light
Front of House (FOH) Any job in the theatre which
involves dealing with the audience
e.g. box office, refreshments, usher
Frozen picture Foundation word for tableau
G
Gauze See-through material which cannot be seen through
when lit from the front, but can be seen through when lit
from behind
G-clamp Clamp used to secure lantern to lighting bar or
stand
Gel Film placed in front of a lantern to change the colour
of the beam
29
Gesture Movement of the hand or arm which
communicates a meaning or emotion
Gobo Thin metal plate cut out in a pattern and placed in a
lantern to project pattern or shape into the acting area
Ground plan Bird’s eye view of the set showing what is on
the set, entrances/exits and the position of the audience
H
Hot-seating Questioning a character in role
I
Intonation Rising and falling of voice in speech
K
Key Explanation of symbols on a ground plan
M
Make-up Worn by actors for their character
Masking One actor unintentionally preventing another
from being seen by the audience
Masks Covering for all, or part, of the face
Mime Stylised form of movement which creates an illusion
of reality
Mixing desk Control desk for sound effect being used in a
drama
Monologue A character speaks their thoughts aloud
Movement Use of the body as a means of communication
Musical Drama which includes song and/or music
N
Narration Part(s) of the drama are told as a story by a
narrator
30
P
Pace Speed of speech or movement
Pantomime Christmas theatrical entertainment usually
based on a fairy tale
Pause A break in speaking; period of silence
Performance Presentation of a drama to an audience
Personal prop An item carried or worn by a character e.g.
glasses, handbag, wallet
Pitch How high or low the voice is
Play Another word for a drama
Playwright Person who has written the play
Plot Storyline of the drama
Posture Position of the body – how it is held
Presenting The results of the Creating process, including
performance and evaluation
Profile spot Lantern giving a hard-edged beam of light
Promenade Audience follows the action on foot, moving
from one location to another
Prompt To supply forgotten lines to an actor
Prompt copy Master copy of the script with all moves and
technical effects included
Prompt side Left hand side of the stage where prompter
and stage manager sit during performance
Props Short for properties - objects used by an actor
Proscenium Arch Stage within an enclosing arch
Pyrotechnics Stage fireworks
R
Rake Slope of stage (to allow actors to be seen)
31
Register Appropriate speech for the person being spoken
to, or for the situation
Rehearsal Practice or preparation of a drama
Rehearsed Drama devised/created without a script which
is rehearsed Improvisation before presentation
Revolving stage Stage which turns in a circle
Rhythm Movements which follow a pattern or beat
Role Part played by an actor / attitude adopted
Role-play A means of exploring attitudes and beliefs
Rostra Blocks or platforms used to create levels
S
Safety chain Used to attach a lantern to the lighting bar
for safety
Scenario Outline of the plot of a drama, including changes
in time or place
Scene Section of a drama, set in one place at one time
Scenery Resources used to create the setting where a
drama takes place, e.g. backcloth, flats, rostra, furniture.
Script The written words of a drama
Set (1) Scenery used to show where a drama takes place
Set (2) To place a drama in a certain time or place
Set prop An item placed on the set, usually part of it e.g.
a lamp, clock, picture
Sight lines What the audience sees of the stage from
where they are sitting
Slow motion Movement performed at a slowed down speed
Soliloquy A single lengthy speech, made when no other
characters are on stage
32
Special effects Used to create a mood or atmosphere on
stage e.g. strobe light, mirror ball, smoke machine
Spontaneous Drama created ‘on the spot’ without a script
or plan Improvisation
Spotlight Beam of light created by a lantern for a person
or place on the acting area
Stage directions Written or spoken advice on how to act a
drama
Stage whisper A loud whisper intended to be heard by the
audience
Staging The position of the acting area relative to the
audience
Stance Attitude or position of the body
Status Importance relative to others
Stereotype An exaggerated portrayal of a type of person
Stimulus Anything which suggests ideas which can be
developed
into a drama
Strike To remove all the set from the acting area
Structure Way in which time, place and action are
sequenced
T
Tableau A stage picture, held without movement
Tabs Curtains
Target Audience A specific group of people at whom a
drama is aimed
Tension Build up of excitement
Theatre Arts The collective name for lighting, sound,
costume, props, make-up and set
33
Theatre in the round Audience seated all around the
acting area
Thought tracking An aid to characterisation: the
character speaks their thoughts out loud
Thought tunnel Character(s) walk past other characters
who comment on their situation
Thrust Audience seated on three sides of the acting area
Timing Speaking, moving or pausing at exactly the right
moment Tone Change of voice to express emotion
Tragedy A drama about unhappy events and with a sad
ending
Trapdoor Door in a floor
Treads Stairs
Truck Piece of scenery on wheels for ease of movement
U
Up Stage Centre (USC)The middle part of the stage
furthest away from the audience
Up Stage Left (USL) The left hand part of the stage
furthest away from the audience as the actor faces the
audience
Up Stage Right (USR) The right hand part of the stage
furthest away from the audience as the actor faces the
audience
V
Venue Place where a drama is presented
Voice-over Recorded speech played during a drama
Voices in the head Recall of words said by others about a
character or situation
34
Volume Loudness or quietness of the voice
W
Wings Sides of a theatre stage
35
Supplementary Theatre Arts Vocabulary List
THE THEATRE STAGE
Proscenium Arch Stage within an enclosing arch
Apron Part of the stage in front of the curtain
Auditorium The area for the audience, generally filled
with seats
Backcloth Canvas cloth which covers the back of the
stage: can be painted
Backstage Non-acting area behind the stage
Balcony Areas of seating above the stalls
Blacks Drapes which curtain off the sides, or back, of the
stage
Cyclorama The back wall of the stage which can be
painted or lit
(Dress) Circle Area of seating above the stalls and below
the balcony
Front of House (FOH) Any job in the theatre which
involves dealing with the audience e.g. box office,
refreshments, usher
Flies Area above the stage from where scenery/actors are
flown in on pulleys
Gauze See-through material which cannot be seen through
when lit from the front, but can be seen through when lit
from behind
Green room Area in which actors wait when not on stage
during a performance
Prompt side Left hand side of the stage where prompter
and stage manager sit during performance
36
Pyrotechnics Stage fireworks
Rake Slope of stage (to allow actors to be seen)
Revolving stage Stage which turns in a circle
Stalls Lowest area of seating, not above stage height
Trapdoor Door in a floor
Treads Stairs
Truck Piece of scenery on wheels for ease of movement
Wings Sides of a theatre stage
LIGHTING
Blackout The acting area is not lit
Slow fade to The lighting/sound is faded out slowly
Fast fade to The lighting/sound is faded out quickly
Snap to Blackout is achieved instantly
Crossfade To change from one lighting cue to another
with no blackout in between
Fade up/down To brighten or dim the lighting
Flood Lantern giving a wide spread of light
Gel Film placed in front of a lantern to change the colour
of the beam
Spotlight Beam
Focussing Positioning the lanterns to get the desired
lighting
Follow spot Powerful profile used to follow actors around
the acting area
Fresnel spot Lantern giving a soft edged beam of light
LFX The quick way to write ‘lighting effects’
Lighting Desk Control board for lighting
37
Profile spot Lantern giving a hard edged beam of light
Wash The whole acting area is evenly lit
Barndoors Adjustable metal flaps attached to the front
of a fresnel spotlight for shaping the beam of light
G-clamp Clamp used to secure lantern to lighting bar or
stand
Gobo Thin metal plate cut out in a pattern and placed in a
lantern to project pattern or shape into the acting area
Pyrotechnics Stage fireworks
Safety chain Used to attach a lantern to the lighting bar
for safety
Special effects Used to create a mood or atmosphere on
stage e.g. strobe light, mirror ball, smoke machine
SOUND
CueA signal for an actor to do or say something, or for a
lighting or sound effect to begin or end
Fade in To bring the volume up
Fade out To bring the volume down
Crossfade To change from one sound cue to another, with
no silence in between
Live (SFX) An SFX is operated on cue during the
performance e.g. a doorbell, a phone ring, a knock
Pre-recorded (SFX) An SFX is recorded on tape and
played on cue during the performance
SFX The quick way to write ‘sound effects’
Mixing desk Control desk for sound
38
COSTUME
Costume Clothes worn by actors for their character
Hats Items worn on head in keeping with the character
being played
Jewellery Items worn on ears, neck or wrists in keeping
with costume worn
Wigs Artificial hair in a variety of colours and styles for
any character part
Costume list A list of all costumes for each character in a
drama
Period costume Costume which reflects clothing from a
time in history
PROPS (PROPERTIES)
Personal prop An item carried or worn by a character e.g.
glasses, handbag, wallet
Props (short for properties) – items used or carried by an
actor, or items on the set
Set prop An item placed on the set, usually part of it e.g.
a lamp, clock, picture
Props table Table in the wings on which all props are
placed for actors to collect as they enter, and replace as
they exit
MAKE-UP Fake Blood Powder, liquid or capsules which
create the effect of bleeding
Foundation The basic skin colour
39
Liners Sticks of make-up in different colours used to
create lines, bruises, shading, highlighting etc.
Pencils Soft pencils in different colours which are easily
smudged and blended
Scarring Scars created with make-up, putty or scarring
material
Stipple sponge Used to create an unshaven look or the
appearance of cracked veins
Tooth varnish Used to create the look of a missing tooth
by blacking out an existing one
Crepe hair Plaits of artificial hair which can be cut and
trimmed to form eyebrows, moustaches and beards
Highlighting Using light colours to make face areas stand
out
Shading Using colours to make facial areas look shrunken
Spirit gum Glue used to attach hair to the face
Latex Liquid rubber which can be used to make skull cap
moulds and false noses
Nose putty Type of clay used for altering the shape of
the nose or chin and/or making warts and wounds
Skull cap Plastic head-shaped covering to give appearance
of baldness
SET
Acting area That part of the available space occupied by
the set and/or used by actors when acting
Centre Stage (CS) The centre area of the stage
Centre Stage Left (CSL) The left hand centre side of
the acting area as the actor faces the audience
40
Centre Stage Right (CSR)The right hand centre side of
the acting area as the actor faces the audience
Down Stage Centre (DSC)The middle part of the stage
nearest the audience
Down Stage Left (DSL) The part of the stage nearest
the audience on the left as the actor faces the audience
Down Stage Right (DSR) The part of the stage nearest
the audience on the right as the actor faces the audience
End on Audience seated at one end - acting area at the
other
Ground plan Bird’s eye view of the set showing what is on
the set, entrances/exits and the position of the audience
Key Explanation of symbols on a ground plan
Rostra Blocks or platforms used to create levels
Set (1) Scenery used to show where a drama takes place
Set prop An item placed on the set, usually part of it e.g.
a lamp, clock, picture
Sight lines What the audience sees of the stage from
where they are sitting
Staging The position of the acting area relative to the
audience
Theatre in the round Audience seated all round the
acting area
Thrust Audience seated on three sides of the acting area
Up Stage Centre (USC) The middle part of the stage
furthest away from the audience
Up Stage Left (USL) The left hand part of the stage
furthest away from the audience as the actor faces the
audience
41
Up Stage Right (USR) The right hand part of the stage
furthest away from the audience as the actor faces the
audience
Avenue Audience seated on two sides of the acting area
Dress the set Add soft furnishings such as tablecloth,
cushions, pictures and pre- set props
Portable staging Lightweight frames and boards for
creating levels
Proscenium Arch Stage within an enclosing arch
Promenade Audience follows the action on foot, moving
from one location to another
42